Our Team
Makers’ Day is run and organised entirely by a team of volunteers on behalf of the British Violin Making Association. The event is not-for profit, with the exhibitor’s fees only covering venue and marketing costs.
Julian Pindar: Event Manager and Concert MC
Julian trained at Merton College in violin making and repair. He has built a repair and sale business in the Surrey area and also travels regularly to China advising workshops and factories on instrument making and quality control. He is also the secretary of the British Violin Making Association.
Emma Hardy: Volunteer Coordinator and Event Manager
Emma is an independent violin maker and repairer based in Sheffield where she enjoys being part of the city’s thriving music scene. She studied violin making and repair under Keith Graves at Merton College, London. Emma is also editor of the BVMA Quarterly magazine.
Renato Carrano: Event Administrator
Renato studied at Merton College before taking up a role in the workshop of Stringers, London, where he focuses on set ups and repair work. He is also the administrator for the BVMA.
Tibor Szemmelveisz: Program Coordinator
Tibor Szemmelveisz is an experienced Violin, Viola & Cello Maker based in North London. He is also a member of the BVMA committee.
Katy Thomas: Communications
Katy studied at the Newark School of Violin Making and graduated in 2007. After graduation she worked in Toronto repairing and restoring violins. Now she lives in Perugia, Italy and runs a workshop with her husband, Filippo Protani, a violin maker.
Join the Team
The BVMA are always looking for members to join the sub-comittee team which organises Makers’ Day. If you would like to get involved, please email: makersday@bvma.org.uk
Join the Team
Our ‘team in green’ event assistants are an integral part of the day. Duties include helping exhibitors set up, managing the instrument submissions and generally being on hand to assist where needed. This is a great role for violin making and repair students looking for opportunities to widen their network.
If you are interested in joining us, please fill out the form opposite.